Spring Update: Some Thoughts

Half way into Spring practice and we now seeing a team start to take form. If anything, we know that it's half way to the Spring Game where we all get to meet up and practice our tailgating skills. I'm up for a little spring evaluation with the game on the horizon and the second scrimmage upon us.

First thought is the way Kyle Flood handles the media is quite refreshing. No filler, all information. You ask a question and he gives you an answer. You ask, "What do you think of the quarterbacks?" He says, "No one has pulled ahead yet, but both are starting to play at a high level." Flood already wins the award for most no nonsense Q & A. It's refreshing and I think gives fans the ability to buy in that much easier.

Speaking of quarterbacks, the competition still appears to be competitive. It's good that Gary Nova and Chas Dodd are pushing one another. While we all hope they aren't competitive because they aren't taking risk, I don't think that's what's happening. After seeing Dodd throw over 30 passes and Nova over 20 in the first scrimmage, they are passing. After seeing them throw some picks, one would think there's no shortage of risk taking.

The running backs are also intriguing as well. The competition there appears to be a two back race, but it's more common in college football two have two solid backs. The thing I think we're going to continue to see this spring is the QBs and the RBs both have a tougher time against the RU defense than they would other defenses. And the back that will struggle there a little more is Jawan Jamison since he's more geared towards between tackles where the RU defense is very strong.

One think that has disappointed me was to read that in the first scrimmage there were a lot of drops by the wide receivers that affected the quarterback's numbers. Each time a receiver drops the ball it completely changes the series for the offense. At times it can greatly impact a drive. If you are a play action based offense, one drop of a deep ball completely ruins all the time spent setting that pass up. We saw that during the North Carolina game last year when Mark Harrison's two dropped deep balls didn't soften up the defense enough to allow more running room. The receivers will have to improve before the spring game to put on a good show.

The most pleasing topic from the spring so far has been seeing how the defense has come together. The secondary is not a surprise, they are good. Very good. They have experience and they have depth. Duron Harmon is a potential all-conference performer and there are two all conference corners as well. Lorenzo Waters is the same heat seeking missile that Harmon has been. Putting Waters at strong safety also allows him to use his mobility to get back in coverage and make plays as well.

The linebackers are stout and have some depth to the position. Once Khaseem Greene returns, they will just get that much better. While depth can be a potential issue, there are players at defensive end that could move back if needed.

Speaking of the defensive line, it's probably the biggest area of potential on this team. Ken Kirksey, Scott Vallone, Djwany Mera, Ike Holmes, Mike Larrow, and Jamil Merrell are all potential starters on the defensive line and come can move to DE as well. The defensive ends have a ton of speed and versatility and there are a few flying under the radar, like Max Issaka, that really may make a splash this season. It has been more than a few years since Rutgers had a speed rusher and potential, notice I said potential, double digit sack defensive end. With all the talent, potential, and depth on the defensive line combined with the secondary we have, we may just see that.